No. 283.
Sir Edward
Thornton to Mr. Fish.
Sir: In compliance with an instruction which I have received from the Earl of Derby, I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty’s government has had under its serious consideration the subject of the prevention of the use of unseaworthy ships, and that the merchant shipping acts of 1871 and 1873 were passed with the view to carry into effect the decision come to in the matter.
There is, however, a constant and increasing danger that any law to prevent the use of this class of vessels in the United Kingdom will be evaded as long as such ships can easily be transferred to a foreign flag. Her Majesty’s government has therefore determined to appeal to maritime powers to assist it in a matter which is of the greatest importance for the safety of life and property, no less than for the credit of the mercantile navy of different states.
I am therefore instructed to address to you a communication upon the subject, and to propose that the consular officers of the United States in Great Britain should be instructed to communicate with the board of trade whenever a British vessel is about to be transferred to the flag of their country, in order that a survey of such vessel may be made by the government surveyor, any special expenses thereby incurred being defrayed by the ship.
Her Majesty’s government trusts that the course of action thus suggested will meet with the concurrence of the Government of the United States, and that it will find no difficulty in furnishing to its consular officers in Great Britain instructions to that effect.
I have, &c.,